The burning question for many aspiring graphic designers is, «How much money do graphic designers make?» The answer is intriguing as it can significantly vary from one designer to another. Whether you are a student considering a career change or an individual pursuing your passion, this article provides insights into the Graphic Designer Salaries.
Two Paths to Graphic Design Income
There are two primary ways for graphic designers to earn money – through traditional employment or as freelance/self-employed designers. This article delves into both avenues, offering a comprehensive look at how graphic designers generate income.
- Employed Graphic Designers
- Freelance/Self-Employed Graphic Design
Employed Designer in the USA – Average Annual Income
For graphic designers in the United States, the average yearly income is a crucial factor. Drawing data from 28,107 salaries across all states provided by Glassdoor, the average salary is $45,677. Additional information from Indeed indicates an average monthly income of $3,413, resulting in a yearly income of $41,000.
Entry Level Graphic Design Jobs
While the article highlights the profitability of being a Graphic Designer in the USA compared to the UK, it acknowledges the different factors at play, such as free healthcare and other benefits in the UK. Exploring entry-level opportunities becomes essential to understanding the potential for a career in graphic design.
Navigating Entry Level Graphic Design Jobs
Knowing the salary of a graphic design job is valuable, but securing the job is equally important. The article explores the best entry-level graphic design jobs and ways to kickstart your career. It outlines several entry points, including:
- Internship: A valuable opportunity to expand your skillset without the pressure of creating perfect designs.
- Part-Time Graphic Designer: A rare but existing option for temporary roles or learning-focused positions.
- Social Media Designer: Considered one of the best entry-level graphic design jobs, this role often demands less commercial-level graphics, allowing you to learn on the job with limited experience.
In summary, this article provides a comprehensive overview of graphic design earnings, considering both traditional employment and freelance opportunities, and offers guidance on navigating entry-level positions in the field.
Earnings Insights for Freelance Graphic Designers
In the second half of this article, we delve into an essential aspect when contemplating the income of graphic designers: freelance opportunities. The prevalence of freelance graphic designers has soared, providing a distinct advantage in terms of charging higher rates based on tasks and experience levels. Flexibility is a defining factor, contributing to the noteworthy observation that freelance designers tend to earn more than their counterparts in conventional 9-5 jobs.
Let’s explore some statistics:
Glassdoor statistics indicate that the average salary for a freelance graphic designer stands at approximately $56,000. It’s crucial to acknowledge that this data might be influenced by experienced freelancers, meaning entry-level freelance designers likely earn less, especially when just starting their journey.
The variation in earnings within graphic design is extensive, mirroring the diverse nature of the field. Different areas of graphic design allow for considerable differences in pricing, emphasizing the importance of specialization. For instance, the surge in demand for UX/UI design, particularly by major corporations for their websites and apps, has resulted in lucrative opportunities. Positions in this domain, especially in major cities globally, come with substantial salaries. A glance at the average salary for a UX/UI designer in the USA, a staggering $97,000, highlights the potential in this specialized field.
Strategies for Earning as a Graphic Designer
For those aspiring to become graphic designers and keen on capitalizing on the lucrative prospects, there are numerous avenues to explore. Whether you’re initiating a freelance career or seeking additional income through graphic design, here are effective strategies:
- Creative Marketplaces: Platforms like Creative Market and Envato provide opportunities to sell digital creative assets, from illustrations and graphics to filters, actions, and fonts.
- Redbubble: An innovative creative marketplace that automatically adds your designs to a variety of products, allowing for passive income.
- Teachable & Udemy: Consider creating online courses on platforms like Teachable and Udemy to share your skills, whether it’s watercolor artistry or character sketching.
- Shopify: Utilize Shopify to sell your designs, such as posters, or explore dropshipping by selling curated products on your site.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, this article has aimed to address the query of how much graphic designers make, shedding light on the industry’s profitability, especially in the digital era. While data may not be flawless, it serves as a valuable step forward. Launching a freelance design career may present initial challenges, and starting earnings might be modest compared to salaried positions. However, with dedication, freelancers have the potential to surpass their 9-5 counterparts, benefitting from the flexibility inherent in freelance design.